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Manual Focus lens for Nikon D200
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Hi there, I know very little about individual lense but I was wondering if its possible to get old manual focus lenses to fit a D200. Nikkor or other makes. Would these work out cheaper than AF lenses. Are they easy to come by and what ones do people have that they are very happy with and (more importantly) what ones should I steer clear of.
Cheers.
Most of Nikons old lenses work on the D200…. The AIS lenses are great, still cost a good bit of money but they are very sharp… The D lenses (pre AFS) cost around the same or a bit more I think and will auto focus on the D200…
I bought an AI lens a year or so ago from ebay Nikon 55 micro AI £50, the body of the lens was a bit scratched but the optics were 100%
It’s completely manual, it doesn’t meter, so on the D80 it only works in manual. Excellent lens though, razor sharp.I think this would make an excellent portrait lens also.
Sinead
Lot of gems available, however as Martin noted the prices on these lenses have risen quite a bit in the last few years. Do your research, and buy well.
A number of fantastic lenses never made it to autofocus versions, notably the 24mm f2, 28mm f2, 35mm f1.4, 50mm f1.2, 200mm f4, as well as prior generations of current lenses such as the 55mm f2.8 macro mentioned, the 105mm f2.5, 105mm f4 macro, all of which are spectacular lenses
Google is your friend to guide you some great manual focus Nikon resources, on what to be aware of, and what to watch out for. My own crude understanding of manual focus lenses are that there are four main types:
– S lenses, with ‘S’ in the name; avoid, as these are for Nikons rangefinder line of cameras
– Non-AI lenses; mainly denoted by the use of ‘cm’ for focal lengths, ie 10.5cm in place of the more modern 105mm. Avoid also, as mounting these lenses will damage your D200, unless they are modified (a cheap, and easy DIY repair incidentally – Google it)
– AI lenses; will mount fine. Coatings may not be as up to scratch as more modern lenses, so just beware AI equivalents may flare more easily. Otherwise fine. Good long focus throw on these lenses for precise focus, by the way.
– AIS; better coatings than their AI equivalents, however focus throw of these lenses much shorter than the equivalent AI lens (good or bad, depending on user preference)
Aside from the above, watch out for all the usual things you would for in a used lens, such as fungus, scratches, focussing, etc.
Best of all, have fun! Manual cameras and lenses slow you down and make you think more, and if you get a good sample, it will last you decades, as opposed to the relatively poorly made modern cameras and lenses,
Damien
Thanks a lot folks. Thanks Damien for going to the trouble to type all that up for me. Very informative and helpful.
No worries, also Bjorn http://www.naturfotograf.net is a great font of all lenses Nikon to tell you whether a lens is good or not,
Damien
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